Thank you: 2017 general election

This is the speech made by Karin Smyth MP having been re-elected as Bristol South’s Member of Parliament in the general election on 8 June 2017:

“Thank you to the returning officer, and to all the staff still here this morning and to all the staff in the polling stations across Bristol South who have worked tirelessly again to serve our democracy.

“I’d also like to thank Avon and Somerset Police for their unstinting efforts in making sure this campaign ran well today and for keeping us all safe.

“I’d like to thank my fellow candidates in the campaign and to wish them well in the future.

“And I’d like to thank the volunteers from Bristol South Labour Party who have supported me so much in the last two years and worked so brilliantly in this campaign.

“My Parliamentary team have also worked incredibly hard in the last two years to serve the people of Bristol South.

“And I would like to thank my family for their unstinting support, particularly in the last five weeks of this campaign.

“Two years ago I made a promise to Bristol South residents: whichever way they voted, I would work tirelessly on their behalf.

“The election interrupted the work that I’ve tried to do on behalf of Bristol South residents and, as other candidates have acknowledged, we do have some real and specific challenges relating particularly, for example, to deprivation and community need.

“Tonight, I have received the privilege of the voters’ endorsement. I repeat my 2015 pledge. I will roll my sleeves back up immediately. I will re-double my efforts, standing up as the champion for south Bristol’s various communities.

“In the past two years of Parliament it has been my privilege to serve on the Public Accounts Committee, scrutinising the expenditure of taxpayers’ money.

“Theresa May called this election at your expense, to shore up her support within the Conservative Party, and you have passed judgement on her arrogance.

“I look forward to continuing the fight for a fair deal for Bristol South in the future.